Liverpool Eyeing Castello Lukeba Despite Fresh Contract Extension, Claims French Report

A recent report from French journalist Fabrice Hawkins has suggested that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, even though the young Frenchman has just signed a one-year contract extension with the German club.

Though Liverpool are currently focused on a demanding run of fixtures, transfer speculation continues to surface. The latest rumors link the Reds to Lukeba, a highly regarded center-back who has already made an impression in European football. At just 21 years old, Lukeba has already played for France and has made 50 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Lyon, where he made his professional debut at the age of 18.

Hawkins, reporting for RMC Sport, claims that Lukeba’s contract extension will keep him at Leipzig until 2029, but the club is aware that they may face bids for the defender as early as next summer. “Real Madrid are one of the contenders for this winter,” Hawkins explained, “but next summer, there will be more clubs interested. Manchester United and Liverpool have been following him for several months.”

Sky Sports Germany has also added to the speculation by noting that Lukeba’s new contract includes a release clause of £75 million, which will become active next summer. In addition to this, the player will receive a significant increase in wages, reflecting his growing reputation and value.

Liverpool fans will soon get a chance to see Lukeba up close as Leipzig is set to face off against the Reds in the UEFA Champions League. Lukeba is expected to feature prominently for Leipzig in the match, likely taking up his usual position on the left side of a back three, where he often plays alongside Willi Orban and Lukas Klostermann.

Liverpool’s interest in Lukeba is not surprising, given the club’s strong relationship with the Red Bull football network, particularly with Leipzig. Over the years, Liverpool has signed several key players from the German side, including Dominik Szoboszlai, Naby Keita, and Ibrahima Konate. These successful transfers have built a solid foundation of trust between the two clubs, which could be a factor if Liverpool seriously pursues Lukeba next summer.

In terms of his style of play, Lukeba stands out as a ball-playing defender, which would fit well with Liverpool’s approach under Arne Slot. According to data from FBRef, Lukeba is among the top six per cent of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to ball-playing abilities. He excels at bringing the ball out from the back, managing over one progressive carry per game, which ranks him in the 80th percentile for defenders in this category.

Lukeba’s passing ability is even more impressive. Over the past year, he has completed more than 90 percent of his passes, placing him in the top 86 percent of his positional peers across Europe. This combination of strong ball-carrying skills and accurate passing makes him a highly desirable option for teams like Liverpool that prioritize building play from the back.

Liverpool’s need for a left-sided, left-footed center-back has been well documented over the past year, and the club has been consistently linked with players who fit that profile. Lukeba certainly matches that description and has likely been scouted by Liverpool’s recruitment team as they look to reinforce their defensive options in the near future.

With the January transfer window approaching and next summer expected to be even more competitive, Liverpool will need to consider whether they are willing to enter the race for Lukeba. The reported release clause of £75 million may prove a significant hurdle, but given Liverpool’s solid track record of investing in young talent with high potential, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a serious effort to secure his services.

For now, Lukeba remains under contract at Leipzig, but the growing interest from Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool and Real Madrid, indicates that his future could be the subject of intense speculation over the coming months. Liverpool supporters will be watching closely, especially as Lukeba takes the field against their side in the Champions League, offering a glimpse of what he could bring to Anfield if a deal is eventually struck.

Castello Lukeba is a highly talented defender with a bright future ahead. Liverpool’s reported interest in the player aligns with their need for reinforcements in defence, and with the club’s history of working well with RB Leipzig, this is a transfer story that could develop further as we head into next year.